PNG's police commissioner, Toami Kulunga, had ordered Mr Namah's arrest over alleged threats, after Mr Namah said in a letter he would take "unprecedented measures" if four suspended policemen were not reinstated.

The police officers were suspended for their involvement in issuing a warrant against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Mr Namah says the "unprecedented measures" referred to an attempt to have the commissioner charged for perverting the course of justice, and denies there was any implications of a coup-threat

"I don't have an army - what sort of coup are we talking about?" he said.

"Let me make it very clear to also the international community, that has been the message that Peter O'Neill has been driving, basically trying to say that Mr Namah is trying to overthrow a legitimate government.

"I have no intention of trying to overthrow a legitimate government."

A media release from police said they were "fed up with the tantrums of the opposition leader" and described him as an "erratic man".